No abstract

In the present study, we investigated age-related differences in the processing of emotional stimuli. Specifically, we were interested in whether older adults would show deficits in unbinding emotional expression (i.e., either no emotion, happiness, anger, or disgust) from bound stimuli (i.e., photographs of faces expressing these emotions), as a hyper-binding account of age-related differences in working memory would predict. Younger and older adults completed different N-Back tasks (side-by-side 0-Back, 1-Back, 2-Back) under three conditions: match/mismatch judgments based on either the identity of the face (identity condition), the face’s emotional expression (expression condition), or both identity and expression of the face (both condition). The two age groups performed more slowly and with lower accuracy in the expression condition than in the both condition, indicating the presence of an unbinding process. This unbinding effect was more pronounced in older adults than in younger adults, but only in the 2-Back task. Thus, older adults seemed to have a specific deficit in unbinding in working memory. Additionally, no age-related differences were found in accuracy in the 0-Back task, but such differences emerged in the 1-Back task, and were further magnified in the 2-Back task, indicating independent age-related differences in attention/STM and working memory. Pupil dilation data confirmed that the attention/STM version of the task (1-Back) is more effortful for older adults than younger adults.

Physical activity has shown tremendous promise for counteracting cognitive aging, but also tremendous variability in cognitive benefits. We describe evidence for how exercise affects cognitive and brain aging, and whether cardiorespiratory fitness is a key factor. We highlight a brain network framework as a valuable paradigm for the mechanistic insight needed to tailor physical activity for cognitive benefits.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the role of colour Doppler velocimetry of the uterine arteries as a predictor of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD)-induced abnormal uterine bleeding.Methods: A prospective study was performed on 120 women (60 without AUB and 60 with AUB) who had copper IUCD inserted as a method of contraception. Detailed history, general and local examination and relevant investigations were done. Pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of uterine artery measured at 3 months after IUCD insertion.Results: Cut-off levels for PI and RI of uterine arteries were set. PI cut-off level <2.09 with sensitivity of 58.3%, specificity of 61.67% and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.666. RI cut-off level ≤0.83 with sensitivity of 53.33%, specificity of 66.67% and AUC of 0.703. These cut-off levels were associated with abnormal uterine bleeding.Conclusions: Initial measurement of uterine artery Doppler indices (PI and RI) before IUCD insertion could be useful in predicting IUCD-induced abnormal uterine bleeding which is the major cause of method withdrawal during the first year of use and accordingly women could be counseled to consider another method of contraception.